Re-growing a face

At one point we were all new to this straight razor thing. And people new to straight razor shaving, such as myself, have a tendency to nick and/or cut themselves. A lot.

So my question is: When learning to use a straight razor, did any of you currently pros have to take a day or two off every once in a while to let your face grow back? I mean, I'm doing alright right now, but I can imagine that after more than 3 or 4 days of this my face will be killing me. I'm not getting a ton of cuts or anything, just scraping my face a lot.

I'm definitely far from a pro, but a few months ago I definitely let my face heal up for a couple days, if I experienced irritation. Using a straight, sure you're going to get the occasional weeper or cut, especially when starting out, but there's no need to press on shaving, if your face is not happy. Shaving should be enjoyable, not torture. :) No shame if you need to drop back to a different shaving method or letting the face rest for a bit. Have fun!

My dear DPflaumer,

I am only a straight razor pilgrim, and will always be, but I usually take a day off from shaving once or twice a month just to let things heal. I rarely cut myself, knock on wood, but I find the day's respite healthy for my Hollywood face.

Regards,

Obie

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Originally Posted by DPflaumer

So my question is: When learning to use a straight razor, did any of you currently pros have to take a day or two off every once in a while to let your face grow back?

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Ideally, my face should heal completely after each shave. Usually, it does but sometimes my technique has not always been ideal; therefore some shaves require more rest afterwards than others. The best test is a look in the mirror and a quick feel.

So if you go to shave and your face is still burning maybe a break is in order.

Cheers!

i find that i am doing too many passes if i get irritation after shaving. either that or my straight wasnt stropped enough. i take a couple days off a week tho out of sheer laziness.

It is definitely not unusual for people new to straights to shave every second day, for example, just to give the face more time to recover. I did that myself for a time, and recall it did help a lot.

It is also a good idea to give any nicks or cuts time to heal before using a straight again. Re-opening a cut can be painful, and discouraging, and potentially lead to infection if you are not careful etc. So yes, I would recommend giving any wounds some time to heal if it is possible to do so.

James.

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Originally Posted by DPflaumer

So my question is: When learning to use a straight razor, did any of you currently pros have to take a day or two off every once in a while to let your face grow back?

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DPflaumer,

Despite I am not a pro neither I think I will ever be, but yes, I do know what you mean and how you feel.

To make a long story short: Three years ago, I used to be a mach-3 shaver, since then, I first started with DE ( 1 Slim, 1 Fat Boy, 1 Flare tip SS, 2 1940 SS), then I stepped up to str8s shaving (got about 12 of them plus an iwasaki and recently a non folding Feather DX), and today I had a shave with a mach-3. I make myself nor nicks neither cuts, but I was feeling like if the skin of my face was becoming transparent, like if every time I shave I took away a very very thin layer of skin.

I know I haven't managed the str8 yet, I really have enjoyed the Feather DX (only two shaves so far).

Today after lathering with my badger silver tip brush and Tobac soap, I shaved my self with a mach-3 and ..... yes I feel a real relief. Conclusion: I am doing some thing wrong. Buuuuuut it really makes feel much better to share our experiences and to see we are not alone in this shaving adventure ! :)

wellcome to the world of the straight, no its normal to skip a day or two when the razor burns you. theres a lot to learn when shaveing with a straight razor . razor sharp? right angle? lather well made?? face well preped???the thing you must learn thou is the touch. your angle can be off ,the razor not atom splitting sharp ,your lather less than ideal,your face unpreped and still if you have the right touch ,frim but light you will get a good shave.the only way to learn it is to do it .in the end stick with it and you will find its the only sane way to shave:tu

The first few times I shaved with a straight (before this site existed so I didn't have much to help me) I got massive razor burn so I took several days off before starting again with a straight.

I've taken days off too. Now that that admission is out of the way...

Technique and a sharp edge improves the shave, of course. In addition, I believe that my face "got used to" the blade to some degree after a few weeks.

I had a rather poor first straight shave - it pulled like a right bugger for me, and was far from comfortable. That's one of the reasons we recommend new shavers start with their cheeks and sideburns only - it lets you get the angles, pressure and touch right, as well as getting your skin used to the difference from a cartridge razor. Once you've got those down, then it's time to move onto the neck and chin - I did it this way and it's worked wonders - very few nicks and very little irritation - only got a rash once, and that was from me refusing to admit my razor wasn't sharp enough and continuing to go over and over the area that it wasn't shaving properly - bad move..

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

It is definitely not unusual for people new to straights to shave every second day, for example, just to give the face more time to recover. I did that myself for a time, and recall it did help a lot

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Very true Jimbo, although I will add that it's not unusal for experienced shavers to skip a day either. If you're like me, with fairly sensitive skin but a fairly tough beard to match, sometimes it's unavoidable. My shaves are very smooth, very irritation-free, yet if I try two days in a row I'm in for trouble. It's always been that way, no matter what method of shaving I use. At least I have a job where it doesn't matter if I'm BBS every day!

Bottom line is there's no shame in skipping a day no matter your skill set..... unless it gets you fired :banghead:

I think part of my problem has been that I am used to shaving every other day with my DE, and being new to straights I have received 3 in the last 4 days, leading to a little over shaving because my impatient self can't wait to try them.

I guess thats what I get.

Overdoing the number of passes can hurt.
Too steep an angle can hurt.
Poor edges can make this worse.

Take a day off. I won't tell. :)
J.

When I started it was not uncommon that I took a day off once or twice a week. Then I started observing the Jewish Sabbath. Now it's rare that I go unshaven but still happens occasionally. Don't sweat it, if you need to rest your face, then rest it. Part of it is acquiring the technique, part of it is acclimatisation to the blade and, as Ryan82 said, part is dependent on you and your face. Good luck.

When I started some many months ago, I use to cut and nick myself quite a bit!! I have carpel tunnel and osteo/arthritis, so while I'm much better now at avoiding injury, believe me, it still happens, if I feel like I"ve got to many battle wounds from various shaves to close together, I will take as long a time out as needed, maybe 3 or 4 days if needed. You should never feel bad about doin' what's needed to do right by yourself. If time off is needed, than go for it!!! Plus I have that dreaded middle age acne, which almost makes the occaisonal bleeder and sure thing. Keep at it, take it slow, and if you never make expert don't worry, I don't think I'll ever be there either, just enjoy the hobby for all it's worth!!


tinkersd of SRP!

The only nicks I can remember getting were when I first started with the straight, usually right in that little dip between the lower lip and the chin. Never anything bad - just those little cuts that "bite" or "pop" through the skin. But yeah, I'd wait a day or two. Even now, with no cuts in recent memory I still wait a couple of days because I find the shaves are so much better than when you're doing it 24 hours after your last one and you're trying to scrape that super fresh stubble off your face. It's too much of an irritant.

You know when you've got it right when your face feels great after every shave. It took me about a week for my skin to get used to shaving with a straight, then later I found that my skin liked edges off a coticule (esp. my neck), but if you are experiencing constant razor burn then something isn't right.

-Chief

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

It is also a good idea to give any nicks or cuts time to heal before using a straight again. Re-opening a cut can be painful, and discouraging, and potentially lead to infection if you are not careful etc.

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Also, a re-opened cut is more likely to scar. Wish I had known...

I usually dont shave at least one day a week and sometimes two (over the weekend) so that usually does the trick for me.

Sometimes I'll shave on the Saturday or Sunday just to take the time and really enjoy the shave. I always shave Monday to Friday though, and I get up to make sure I have the time to use the straight.

I did get some irritation at the start, and by the end of the week my neck can get a bit red right after the shave if I dont prep right, but other than that its all good!

As said, there's nothing wrong with skipping a day. I've found that I get the most razor burn on my throat from not stretching the skin tight enough. Of course, make sure your razor's sharp, your lather is wet enough, and your beard is properly prepped.